U.S. patent application number 11/470009 was filed with the patent office on 2007-01-18 for retaining assembly.
Invention is credited to Bobby Hu.
Application Number | 20070013149 11/470009 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37660986 |
Filed Date | 2007-01-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070013149 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hu; Bobby |
January 18, 2007 |
RETAINING ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A retaining assembly includes a body and a retainer. The body
includes a compartment defined in an end thereof. The compartment
is defined by a perimeter wall and an end wall. A coupling hole is
defined in the end wall for receiving a tool. The retainer is
mounted in the compartment of the body and has a through-hole
aligned with the coupling hole of the body. The retainer further
includes at least one resilient positioning portion abutting
against the perimeter wall of the body for retaining the retainer
in the compartment of the body. The retainer further includes at
least one resilient clamping portion extending into the coupling
hole of the body for pressing against at least one face of the tool
received in the coupling hole of the body.
Inventors: |
Hu; Bobby; (Taichung,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NIKOLAI & MERSEREAU, P.A.
900 SECOND AVENUE SOUTH
SUITE 820
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402
US
|
Family ID: |
37660986 |
Appl. No.: |
11/470009 |
Filed: |
September 5, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
279/43.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 279/17418 20150115;
F16B 21/20 20130101; B23B 31/117 20130101; Y10T 279/17316 20150115;
Y10T 24/44923 20150115; B23B 31/005 20130101; B25B 23/0035
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
279/043.1 |
International
Class: |
B23B 31/12 20060101
B23B031/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 12, 2005 |
TW |
94143181 |
Claims
1. A retaining assembly comprising: a body including a compartment
defined in an end thereof, the compartment being defined by a
perimeter wall and an end wall, a coupling hole being defined in
the end wall and adapted for receiving a tool; and a retainer
mounted in the compartment of the body, the retainer having a
through-hole aligned with the coupling hole of the body, the
retainer further including at least one resilient positioning
portion abutting against the perimeter wall of the body for
retaining the retainer in the compartment of the body, the retainer
further including at least one resilient clamping portion extending
into the coupling hole of the body and adapted for pressing against
at least one face of the tool received in the coupling hole of the
body.
2. The retaining assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
retainer further includes at least one restraining portion abutting
against the end wall of the body.
3. The retaining assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
retainer further includes two diametrically disposed restraining
portions extending radially outward and having outer edges, with a
distance between the outer edges of the diametrically disposed
restraining portions being substantially the same as a diameter of
the compartment of the body.
4. The retaining assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
retainer includes a plurality pairs of diametrically disposed
resilient positioning portions, each of said plurality pairs of
diametrically disposed resilient positioning portions having outer
edges, with a distance between the outer edges of each said
plurality pairs of diametrically disposed resilient positioning
portions being slightly greater than the diameter of the
compartment of the body.
5. The retaining assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said at
least one resilient positioning portion extends radially outward at
an incline and is in contact with the perimeter wall defining the
compartment of the body.
6. The retaining assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein a perimeter
wall defining the coupling hole includes a plurality of faces, and
wherein at least one of the faces of the perimeter wall defining
the coupling hole is aligned with said at least one resilient
clamping portion.
7. The retaining assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein the
coupling hole and the through-hole of the retainer are
hexagonal.
8. The retaining assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein a perimeter
wall defining the coupling hole includes at least one recess for
receiving said at least one resilient clamping portion of the
retainer.
9. The retaining assembly as claimed in claim 8 wherein the number
of said at least one resilient clamping portion is two, said two
resilient clamping portions being diametrically disposed.
10. The retaining assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein said at
least one resilient clamping portion includes a distal end having
an inclined face extending radially outward.
11. A retaining assembly comprising: a body including a compartment
defined in an end thereof, the compartment being defined by a
perimeter wall and an end wall, a coupling hole being defined in
the end wall and adapted for receiving a tool; and a retainer
including a ring body mounted in the compartment of the body, the
ring body having a through-hole aligned with the coupling hole of
the body, at least one resilient positioning portion extending from
the ring body and being in frictional contact with the perimeter
wall of the body for retaining the retainer in the compartment of
the body, two diametrically disposed resilient clamping portion
extending from the ring body into the coupling hole of the body and
being adapted for clamping the tool received in the coupling hole
of the body.
12. The retaining assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein the
retainer further includes a pair of diametrically disposed
restraining portions extending radially outward and having outer
edges abutting against the perimeter wall defining the compartment
of the body, with a distance between the outer edges of the
restraining portions being slightly greater than the diameter of
the compartment of the body.
13. The retaining assembly as claimed in claim 12 wherein each said
restraining portion abuts against the end wall defining the
compartment of the body.
14. The retaining assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein a
perimeter wall defining the coupling hole includes a plurality of
faces, and wherein two of the faces of the perimeter wall defining
the coupling hole are aligned with the resilient clamping
portions.
15. The retaining assembly as claimed in claim 14 wherein the
coupling hole and the through-hole of the retainer are
hexagonal.
16. The retaining assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein a
perimeter wall defining the coupling hole includes two
diametrically disposed recesses for receiving the resilient
clamping portions of the retainer.
17. The retaining assembly as claimed in claim 12 wherein a
perimeter wall defining the coupling hole includes two
diametrically disposed recesses for receiving the resilient
clamping portions of the retainer.
18. The retaining assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein each said
resilient clamping portion includes a distal end having an inclined
face extending radially outward.
19. The retaining assembly as claimed in claim 12 wherein each said
resilient clamping portion includes a distal end having an inclined
face extending radially outward.
20. The retaining assembly as claimed in claim 13 wherein each said
resilient clamping portion includes a distal end having an inclined
face extending radially outward.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a retaining assembly and,
more particularly, to a retaining assembly for retaining a driving
member such as a screwdriver bit or the like.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] FIG. 6 of the drawings illustrates a conventional sleeve 1
having a compartment 2. An end of the sleeve 1 is coupled to, e.g.,
a handle of a screwdriver. A member, such as a screwdriver bit is
mounted into the compartment 2 and retained in place by a C-clip 3.
In assembly, the C-clip 3 is compressed by a pair of pliers and
placed into the compartment 2 in a position aligned with an annular
groove 4 in a perimeter wall defining the compartment 2. Finally,
the C-clip 3 is inserted into the annular groove 4 and then
released. The resiliency of the C-clip 3 is not affected when the
diameter of the compartment 2 is large enough, for the C-clip 3
deforms in an allowable extent during the assembling procedure.
However, if the diameter of the compartment 2 is too small, the
C-clip 3 is deformed beyond its tolerable limit such that permanent
deformation occurs. As a result, the clamping force imparted by the
C-clip 3 to the member received in the compartment 2 is not uniform
or insufficient to reliably retain the member in place.
[0005] FIG. 7 shows a conventional shock-proof retainer 7 that is
mounted into a bottom of a compartment 6 in a sleeve 5. However,
undesired shift occurs easily while mounting the retainer 7 into
the deepest portion of the compartment 6. The mounting procedure is
more difficult when the compartment 6 is small in diameter.
Further, the retainer 7 occupies a certain space in the compartment
6 and, thus, adversely affects the function and effect of
retaining.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a
retaining assembly comprises a body and a retainer. The body
includes a compartment defined in an end thereof. The compartment
is defined by a perimeter wall and an end wall. A coupling hole is
defined in the end wall and adapted for receiving a tool. The
retainer is mounted in the compartment of the body and has a
through-hole aligned with the coupling hole of the body. The
retainer further includes at least one resilient positioning
portion abutting against the perimeter wall of the body for
retaining the retainer in the compartment of the body. The retainer
further includes at least one resilient clamping portion extending
into the coupling hole of the body and adapted for pressing against
at least one face of the tool received in the coupling hole of the
body.
[0007] Preferably, the retainer further includes at least one
restraining portion abutting against the end wall of the body.
[0008] In an example, the retainer includes two diametrically
disposed restraining portions extending radially outward and having
outer edges, with a distance between the outer edges of the
diametrically disposed restraining portions being substantially the
same as a diameter of the compartment) of the body.
[0009] Preferably, the resilient positioning portion extends
radially outward at an incline and is in contact with the perimeter
wall defining the compartment of the body.
[0010] Preferably, the at least one resilient clamping portion
includes a distal end having an inclined face extending radially
outward.
[0011] Preferably, the retainer includes a plurality pairs of
diametrically disposed resilient positioning portions. Each pair of
the diametrically disposed resilient positioning portions have
outer edges, with a distance between the outer edges of each pair
of the diametrically disposed resilient positioning portions being
slightly greater than the diameter of the compartment of the
body.
[0012] Preferably, a perimeter wall defining the coupling hole
includes a plurality of faces, and at least one of the faces of the
perimeter wall defining the coupling hole is aligned with the at
least one resilient clamping portion.
[0013] Preferably, the coupling hole and the through-hole of the
retainer are hexagonal.
[0014] Preferably, a perimeter wall defining the coupling hole
includes at least one recess for receiving the at least one
resilient clamping portion of the retainer.
[0015] Preferably, two resilient clamping portions are provided and
diametrically disposed.
[0016] In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention,
a retaining assembly comprises a body and a retainer. The body
includes a compartment defined in an end thereof. The compartment
is defined by a perimeter wall and an end wall. A coupling hole is
defined in the end wall and adapted for receiving a tool. The
retainer includes a ring body mounted in the compartment of the
body. The ring body has a through-hole aligned with the coupling
hole of the body. At least one resilient positioning portion
extending from the ring body and is in frictional contact with the
perimeter wall of the body for retaining the retainer in the
compartment of the body. Two diametrically disposed resilient
clamping portion extend from the ring body into the coupling hole
of the body and are adapted for clamping a face of the tool
received in the coupling hole of the body.
[0017] Preferably, the retainer further includes a pair of
diametrically disposed restraining portions extending radially
outward and having outer edges abutting against the perimeter wall
defining the compartment of the body, with a distance between the
outer edges of the resilient positioning portions being slightly
greater than the diameter of the compartment of the body.
[0018] Preferably, each restraining positioning portion abuts
against the end wall defining the compartment of the body.
[0019] Preferably, a perimeter wall defining the coupling hole
includes a plurality of faces, and two of the faces of the
perimeter wall defining the coupling hole are aligned with the
resilient clamping portions.
[0020] Preferably, the coupling hole and the through-hole of the
retainer are hexagonal.
[0021] Preferably, a perimeter wall defining the coupling hole
includes two diametrically disposed recesses for receiving the
resilient clamping portions of the retainer.
[0022] Preferably, each resilient clamping portion includes a
distal end having an inclined face extending radially outward.
[0023] Other objectives, advantages, and features of the invention
will become more apparent from the following detailed description
when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a retaining assembly in
accordance with the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the retaining
assembly in accordance with the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along plane 3-3 in FIG.
1.
[0027] FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along plane 4-4 in FIG.
1.
[0028] FIG. 5 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 4, illustrating
use of the retaining assembly in accordance with the present
invention.
[0029] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a sleeve with a conventional
retainer.
[0030] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a sleeve with another
conventional retainer.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0031] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, a retaining assembly 10 in
accordance with the present invention comprises a body 20 and a
retainer 30. The body 20 includes a compartment 21 in an end
thereof. In this example, the compartment 21 is cylindrical and
defined by a perimeter wall 211 and an end wall 212. A coupling
hole 22 is defined in the end wall 212 defining the compartment 21.
Preferably, the coupling hole 22 is non-circular in section. An end
of a tool, such as a shank (not labeled) of a screwdriver bit (not
labeled, see FIG. 5) is releasably engaged in the coupling hole 22.
In this example, a perimeter wall defining the coupling hole 22 is
hexagonal and includes six faces 221 for contacting with six faces
of the shank of the screwdriver bit.
[0032] The retainer 30 is mounted in the compartment 21 of the body
20 for holding the shank of the screwdriver bit. The retainer 30 is
substantially a ring body including a through-hole 31 having a
sectional shape corresponding to that of the coupling hole 22 of
the body 20. The shank of the screwdriver bit can be extended into
the coupling hole 22 of the body 20 via the through-hole 31 of the
retainer 30. The retainer 30 further includes two resilient
clamping portion 32 extending from the ring body in a longitudinal
direction of the through-hole 31. When the retainer 30 is mounted
in the compartment 21 of the body 20, the resilient clamping
portions 32 of the retainer 30 extend into the coupling hole 22 of
the body 20 and are preferably aligned with two of the faces 221
defining the coupling hole 22. The resilient clamping portions 32
of the retainer 30 are in surface contact with the shank of the
screwdriver bit, providing a reliable clamping effect for the shank
of the screwdriver bit.
[0033] Preferably, each resilient clamping portion 32 includes a
distal end having an inclined face 321 that extends radially
outward. The inclined face 321 of the resilient clamping portions
32 allow easy removal of the shank of the screwdriver bit from the
coupling hole 22 of the body 20. In this example, the resilient
clamping portions 32 are diametrically disposed to provide an
enhanced retaining effect. Further, the perimeter wall defining the
coupling hole 22 of the body 20 includes two recesses 222
respectively aligned with the resilient clamping portions 32. The
recesses 222 receive the resilient clamping portions 32 and allow
the resilient clamping portions 32 to move radially outward in the
recesses 222 while mounting the shank of the screwdriver bit into
the coupling hole 22.
[0034] In this example, the retainer 30 further includes two
symmetrically disposed restraining portions 33. Each restraining
portion 33 extends radially outward from a position of the ring
body from which an associated one of the resilient clamping
portions 32 extends longitudinally. Preferably, the restraining
portions 33 are diametrically disposed, and a maximum distance
between outer edges of the restraining portions 33 is substantially
the same as a diameter of the compartment 21. Hence, when mounting
the retainer 30 into the compartment 21 of the body 20, the
restraining portions 33 are in contact with and slide along the
perimeter wall 211 to the end wall 212 without the risk of
undesired shifting or skew mounting. When the retainer 30 comes in
contact with the end wall 212 defining the compartment 21, the
restraining portions 33 are in surface contact with the end wall
212 to avoid skew mounting.
[0035] The retainer 30 may further include a plurality of resilient
positioning portions 34 between the restraining portions 33. In
this example, three pairs of resilient positioning portions 34 are
symmetrically arranged between the restraining portions 33. A
distance between outer edges of each pair of positioning portions
34 is slightly greater than the diameter of the compartment 21.
Further, each resilient positioning portion 34 extends radially
outward at an incline away from the resilient clamping portions 32.
Hence, when the retainer 30 is smoothly moved into the compartment
21 and comes in contact with the end wall 212 defining the
compartment 21, the inclined resilient positioning portions 34
reliably press against the perimeter wall 211 defining the
compartment 21, thereby positioning the retainer 30 in the
compartment 21 of the body 20.
[0036] Referring to FIGS. 2 through 4, in assembly, the retainer 30
is placed into the compartment 21 with the resilient clamping
portions 32 of the retainer 30 aligned with the recesses 222 of the
coupling hole 22. The restraining portions 33 abut against the end
wall 212 defining the compartment 21 and the resilient positioning
portions 34 press against the perimeter wall 211 defining the
compartment 21. Reliable positioning of the retainer 30 in the
compartment 21 of the body 20 is obtained through a simple, rapid
assembling procedure without the risk of excessive deformation of
the retainer 30. The retainer 30 is thus capable of performing its
clamping function normally without the risk of non-uniform clamping
forces. Further, the retainer 30 received in the compartment 21 of
the body 20 occupies a smaller space regardless of the diameter of
the coupling hole 22 of the body 20. The problems encountered in
mounting a retainer in a small hole are avoided.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 5, when inserting a shank of a screwdriver
bit into the coupling hole 22 of the body 20, the resilient
clamping portions 32 of the retainer 30 are moved radially outward
in the recesses 222 and then return to their original position for
clamping the shank of the screwdriver bit. After mounting, the
resilient clamping portions 32 of the retainer 30 are in surface
contact with the shank of the screwdriver bit and exert radially
inward force to the faces of the shank. A reliable clamping effect
is thus provided. Further, since the resilient clamping portions 32
of the retainer 30 are moved radially outward in the recesses 222
while inserting the shank of the screwdriver bit into the coupling
hole 22 of the body 20, undesired deformation of the resilient
clamping portions 32 resulting from forcible insertion is avoided.
Namely, the clamping effect of the resilient clamping portions 32
is assured.
[0038] When removing the shank of the screwdriver bit from the
coupling hole 22 of the body 20, the inclined faces 321 of the
resilient clamping portions 32 allow easy removal of the shank
without the risk of getting stuck. Further, since the retainer 30
is reliably retained in the compartment 21 of the body 20 by the
frictional contact between the resilient positioning portions 34 of
the retainer 30 and the perimeter wall 211 defining the compartment
21, the retainer 30 will not be removed together with the
screwdriver bit.
[0039] Although a specific embodiment has been illustrated and
described, numerous modifications and variations are still
possible. The scope of the invention is limited by the accompanying
claims.
* * * * *